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Why are the steering wheel switches not illuminated at night ? What is the point of a hands free phone that you can not answer at night , using the steering wheel phone switches , because they are not illuminated ? The audio switches are the same . Very poor design from Toyota in my opinion and must be a safety issue .

Nice one buddy. Keep us updated.

Kia had an issue with 'crankshaft pulley bolt failure' in early Picanto's (made between 2004 to 2006). The crank shaft bolt, which holds the pulley on, worked loose and caused wear to the end of the crank. This caused the timing to be out as the pulley moved when the engine was under load, and the engine misfired on acceleration. Some owners had new short engines, others had the crankshaft and other components replaced. Cars which were out of warranty and had the crankshaft pulley bolt failure, had to have a full Kia dealer service history, otherwise Kia wouldn't contribute towards the repairs. Even then, owners usually had to pay the labour costs - in the region of £650 to £850.

I would have to agree with Red Yaris that one switch being raised and one indented is enough. I don't see any need for an illuminated steering wheel switch, as you know the difference in the switches from feel, so don't need to look at them. As for lack of illumination being a safety issue, it could be said that it wouldn't be safe to look away from the road to look down at the steering wheel switches to work out which one to use. They do need to be textured so people can tell the difference in the buttons without looking down.

On the subject of hands free phones being dangerous to talk on whilst driving, how do we stand on carrying talkative passengers, listening to traffic bulletins on the radio or parenting inquisitive children? Having any non illuminated switches is a safety issue which car manufacturers have been able to solve for 20 years or more. The only excuse I can see for no illuminated switches is penny pinching cost engineering.

Decuma Grey, yes Manual box

Another tyrol silver fan here, I had a black Landcruiser once, never again, it took five hours a week to keep it looking spot-on.

Not sure we're getting the full story here. As regards servicing, you mention the 3 services had been carried out - but were these done by a Toyota dealer?? Usually where a manufacturer refuses a goodwill contribution on an out-of-warranty car, it is because the car has been serviced outside of the dealer network.

Based on the above posts on this thread this is "starting to look like" another IQ re occuring problem ? If a few have been reported on this forum, there are likely to me many more ? Just another Toyota recall in the making ? I have to admit I must have been very lucky in the past with other makes my experience over a few years is as follows: The below list excludes punctures & windscreen stone cracks ! Just a few I can remember over the last 20 years ! (old age is setting in !) Ford Orion 60,000+ miles from new no problems Ford Cortina's X 3 - both 60,000+ miles from new no problems Ford Granada 60,000+ miles from new no problems Merc 220E 60,0000+ miles from new no problems Merc 190E 120,000+ miles second hand no problems Audi A4 - 60,000+ miles from new no problems Land Rovers X 3 off (Various models) - all covered 60,000+ miles from new no problems Hundia Tuscan 60,000+ miles approved second hand no problems BMW 3 - Series 60,000+ miles from new no problems BMW 5 - Series 60,000+ miles approved second hand no problems Volvo's x 6 Of various types up to my last one 12 months ago, a year 2000 S80 all second hand 60,000+ miles (Some many more miles) - no problems at all. I could continue with this list I think readers will get the drift ! I am a Mechanical & Electrical hands on engineer and time served Precision Toolmaker plus a now retired Operations Director of a large number high technology precision manufacturing operations across the globe. The above is what I "expect" to get from a car ! assuming regular correct servicing and no abuse. There is "no reason" why today based on modern engineering and improvements in technology over the last 20 years that we should not expect to get "very close" to "Zero Defect" and good reliability. I rest my case, I will keep my Toyota IQ for a few years, as I now only cover 5000 miles per year, however I have made my decision today: I will NOT be buying another Toyota. That's it from me ! Positive Regards, Bob Kneale.

+1 John +2 The main reason for me getting one was so that it can record whilst the car is unattended, using both motion and shock sensors to record an event.

Interesting indeed. I have a Blackvue which was around £300 and very pleased with it and I'd be lost without it speaking to me now at the beginning of each journey. :) Good to see there are alternatives out there though, maybe not so compact and discrete to leave in the car as the Blackvue but certainly alternatives. Craig.

Aye.....certainly supplied somewhere to hang two wet duffle coats....

Hi there Bobkneale on here wrote a very good letter to Toyota about the EGR valve with very positive results. Do a search its in your best interest. David

Have been using the same tyres and they are great. The noise in 18" size and low profile is noticeable on such car as Auris, but after driving around for a while it doesn't disturb me anymore. The grip is superb! I've read lots of reviews and tested them myself. The car bites the road and goes like on rails. Wether it's wet or dry, doesn't really matter. I personally didn't notice any significant difference.

Sounds like the old IQ EGR valve problem which is a known fault on the earlier IQs but some dealerships need more persuasion than others to fix it. Replacement is the only proper cure as a better valve was fitted to later IQs. If you do a search of this forum you should find plenty of references to it and those who have had it done may advise you on the best course of action. John

Interesting. Shortly after buying mine at the 12,000 mark , My belt shredded and it was by pure luck that i spotted it as i was fitting DRL's. Was changed by MR T but there was no obvious reason David

Nearly a 3 years ago post David

Thats great :) I am just glad my guide was of help and this is the reason I went to this trouble of making the guide.